Because Mr. Malema’s words stirred deep emotions in everyone in the crowd it is fair to conclude that the miners went on strike because they wanted a means to substantially improve their economic stations in life. Their cause is noble; they want to offer their families a better future. Mr. Malema and Christian Science Monitor writer Baldauf and the pundits understand all too well the political and economic context of the illegal strike; the miners went on strike more because of frustration and dissatisfaction with the SA black government more than any real dissatisfaction with their wages from Lonmin.

It has been 10 days since the tragic events on the Marikana hilltop. Mining operations have not yet restarted. Lonmin officials have called the workers to return to their position but fewer than 10 % of the 28,000 workers have responded to the call. Now these workers are being harassed and intimidated by the striking miners. The labor unrest has now spread to Lonmin’s Eastern Mine facility. The AMCU’s strategy seems to incorporate the spreading of workers demands to other mining operations. Does President Jacob Zuma have a response to this play for political power of his political adversaries?   

A “Peace Accord” is presently being negotiated at the Lonmin Marikana mine. The discussions are being facilitated by the Department of Labour. Representatives of Lonmin are meeting with representatives of the workers three legally recognized unions in an effort to resolve strike and get the mine back up and running. In an apparent affront to NUM’s legitimacy the upstart AMCU has been invited to the labor negotiating table. It is this union that has not shown much support for the workers returning to work as a precondition to discussing the worker’s demand for a pay increase. It is clear that Lonmin cannot resume normal operations without a comprehensive agreement to return to work. What happens in these negotiations will probably set an industry wide standard for all platinum miners. Consequently all miners and not just the Drill Operators will have to receive corresponding salary adjustment. Meanwhile the international investment community will definitely place SA in the “no investment zone” and look for safer havens to park its investment dollars. Lonmin is in a no-win-situation in that it needs the workers to carryout the mining operations and it cannot harshly criticize or blame the government for not fulfilling its promises to the miners as South Africans. Unfortunately for the international automobile industry which depends on PGMs for their exhaust systems, there is not another “player in the game” that can meet its demand for the PGMs. The price of platinum is about to rise to levels never thought possible.

I agree with the miners that President Zuma should use the country’s economic power and resources to improve the lives of its citizens. He should stop mortgaging average South Africans’ future to realize his dream of creating a more unified Africa based upon the idea of Pan-Africanism. Lonmin should not be held hostage in this struggle between Zuma and his political rivals. At some point the international community is going to shed its liberalism and become more pragmatic in its relations with African nations.